Blood Drive Announced In Honor Of Late Massapequa Fire Commissioner

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Long Islanders will have the chance to give blood in honor of a late public servant this week, as the New York Blood Center holds a blood drive at the Massapequa Fire Department in memory of Thomas McCarthy.

Announced Monday, the blood drive will take place Thursday, April 30, from 1:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., at the fire station at 515 Hicksville Rd in Massapequa, the Blood Center said.

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As for the man it’s being held to honor, NYBC said McCarthy died on April 11. According to the blood center, McCarthy was a lifelong Massapequa resident, an army ranger veteran who served in Vietnam, a retired FDNY firefighter, Captain and Commissioner of the Massapequa Fire Department, Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District and a husband, father and grandfather.

“Tom was a life-long blood donor who later became a recipient of blood himself,” the blood center said. “He understood first-hand the lifesaving impact of a single blood donation, and he never stopped giving back to the community throughout his lifetime.”

The blood center said McCarthy had asked prior to his death for the blood drive to be held, noting that he had required donated blood during a major surgery. In the aftermath of McCarthy’s death, the blood center said the McCarthy family requested donations be made to the NYBC instead of flowers.

According to NYBC, recent changes to FDA guidance have made more people eligible to give blood. To check if they're eligible, prospective donors can visit the NYBC website.